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In 1963, a man in Turkey's Nevşehir Province accidentally discovered the ancient underground city of Derinkuyu while breaking through a basement wall. This remarkable site, which extends up to 18 stories deep, features chapels, schools, and stables, and is believed to have been constructed as early as the 8th–7th centuries BCE. Archaeologists estimate it could accommodate around 20,000 people, with its peak during the Byzantine period, when it evolved into a complex network of tunnels and chambers covering 445 square kilometers. Initially used for food storage, the city served as a refuge during times of conflict, allowing early Christians and Muslims to escape persecution. Its defensive design included narrow passageways and rolling stone doors, enabling inhabitants to thwart invaders effectively. Derinkuyu remains a testament to the ingenuity of its builders and the enduring need for safety throughout history. 
Published: Jul 03 2025, 4 pmeznews.inEuropean discovery of Antarctica dates back to the early 19th century, with Captain James Cook first crossing the Antarctic Circle in 1773 and Russian explorer Thaddeus von Bellingshausen confirming its sighting in 1820. However, a 2021 study suggests that Polynesian explorers, led by Hui Te Rangiora aboard the vessel Te Ivi o Atea, may have reached the continent over a millennium earlier, around the seventh century. The research highlights Māori legends describing voyages into icy waters, with imagery that aligns with Antarctica's landscape. While these narratives are compelling, they face skepticism due to a lack of supporting evidence and concerns about post-European embellishments. New Zealand anthropologist Sir Peter Buck cautions against assuming Polynesians would venture into the inhospitable southern seas, suggesting that the legends may have been influenced by later European accounts. Nonetheless, the Māori connection to Antarctica remains a topic of interest and debate in the scientific community.
Published: Jul 08 2025, 1 ameznews.inProsopometamorphopsia (PMO) is an exceedingly rare neurological condition that causes individuals to perceive faces as distorted or transformed into other face-like forms. Neuroscientist Dr. Austin Lim, who discusses PMO in his book _Horror On The Brain_, explains that this condition can lead to unsettling visual experiences, such as faces appearing to melt or morph into fantastical creatures, including dragons. A notable case study from 2020 highlighted a patient, referred to as AD, who experienced significant quality of life issues due to hemi-prosopometamorphopsia, a variant of PMO linked to brain lesions. With only about 75 documented cases, PMO can often be mistaken for other disorders, complicating diagnosis and treatment. The condition's bizarre manifestations, which can include faces resembling witches or zombies, underscore the complexities of facial recognition in the brain and the potential for misinterpretation in visual processing.
Published: Jul 07 2025, 10 pmeznews.inScientists studying the volcanic bay of Illa Grossa, part of the Columbretes Islands marine reserve off Spain's coast, have uncovered alarming levels of microplastic pollution, with concentrations reaching over 6,000 particles per kilogram of sediment—among the highest recorded in the Mediterranean. This area is home to _Cladocora caespitosa_, the only reef-forming coral in the region, which plays a crucial role in supporting diverse marine life. Researchers found microplastics in every sediment sample collected, with the most common types being polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polystyrene, alongside significant amounts of micro-rubber. The small size of these particles poses a serious threat to corals, as over 90% are small enough to be ingested. The study highlights the urgent need for increased research and action to combat plastic pollution, even in protected marine areas, as it endangers sensitive ecosystems. The findings are published in the *Marine Pollution Bulletin*.
Published: Jul 04 2025, 8 pmeznews.inOn April 25, 1935, a tiger shark at Coogee Aquarium in Sydney regurgitated a human arm adorned with a tattoo of two boxers, leading detectives to a perplexing murder mystery. The arm was identified as belonging to James "Jimmy" Smith, a 45-year-old amateur boxer with ties to Sydney's criminal underworld, particularly to a businessman named Reginald Holmes. Tensions escalated between Smith and Holmes over a failed drug operation, culminating in Smith's disappearance on April 7. Following his death, Patrick Brady, a man last seen with Smith, was arrested but implicated Holmes in the murder. However, Holmes was found dead before he could testify, leaving the case unresolved. The prevailing theory suggests that Brady dismembered Smith and disposed of the arm, which was later consumed by the tiger shark, a creature brought to the aquarium by its owner, Bert Hobson, in a bid to attract visitors during the Great Depression.
Published: Jul 07 2025, 10 pmeznews.inAstronomers at the Planetary Virtual Observatory and Laboratory (PVOL) are seeking assistance after NASA's Mario Rana captured an image that may show an object colliding with Saturn. Unlike terrestrial planets, gas giants like Saturn and Jupiter do not leave obvious craters from impacts due to their gaseous compositions. While studies estimate that Saturn experiences about 0.0032 impacts from objects over one kilometer in size annually, smaller impacts are believed to be more frequent, with Cassini data indicating that they can create ripples in Saturn's rings. The potential impact, observed on July 5, 2025, has been reported as a bright flash in Rana's image, reminiscent of past observations of impacts on Jupiter. PVOL is urging astronomers who captured footage of Saturn during that time to come forward to help confirm this exciting possibility, marking a potential first observation of an impact on the gas giant.
Published: Jul 07 2025, 11 pmeznews.inA recent analysis by Boston University and Harvard Medical School professors has revealed that over 100 health datasets from US government agencies were significantly altered shortly after the new administration took office in January 2025. The study, which examined 232 datasets from the Department of Health and Human Services, CDC, and Veterans Affairs, found that 114 (49%) had undergone substantial changes, primarily replacing the term "gender" with "sex." Only 15 of these modifications were documented, raising concerns about the accuracy and trustworthiness of the data. The authors suggest these changes may align with a Presidential directive aimed at removing "gender ideology" from federal messaging. They warn that such alterations could mislead health interventions and erode public confidence in scientific data. The researchers advocate for greater transparency in data management, emphasizing that accurate terminology is crucial for effective public health research. Their findings are published in The Lancet.
Published: Jul 07 2025, 8 pmeznews.inResearchers have identified a new lifeform, dubbed "ShipGoo001," from a mysterious goo discovered during maintenance of the research vessel Blue Heron in Cleveland. The vessel, part of the largest US academic fleet on the Great Lakes, was undergoing repairs when the goo was found oozing from its rudder shaft. Initially expecting to find nothing, scientists from the University of Minnesota Duluth were surprised to discover thriving microbes in the oxygen-less environment. Lead researcher Cody Sheik noted that the DNA was surprisingly intact, leading to the identification of this previously unknown species. The microbes appear to thrive in the unique ecological niche created by the ship's grease, raising questions about their dormancy and potential impact on the vessel's metal components. The team plans to further investigate the organism's metabolic processes and make their findings publicly available, highlighting the importance of exploratory research in uncovering new scientific insights.
Published: Jul 07 2025, 9 pmeznews.inIn 2015, Professor Adam Zeman coined the term "aphantasia" to describe the condition of individuals who lack a mind's eye, a phenomenon that affects 1-5% of the population. Nearly a decade later, Zeman has published a comprehensive review of over 50 studies exploring aphantasia, revealing its complexities and subtypes, including variations in face recognition and autobiographical memory. While those with aphantasia may struggle to visualize images, they often excel in verbal communication and emotional depth, as noted by 43-year-old Mary Wathen, who discovered her condition through conversations with other parents. Zeman emphasizes that aphantasia is not a disorder but rather a different way of processing information, which can have both advantages and disadvantages. The ongoing research aims to raise awareness about diverse imaginative experiences, highlighting the need for inclusive educational approaches that accommodate various learning styles. The findings are published in the journal *Trends in Cognitive Sciences*.
Published: Jul 07 2025, 7 pmeznews.inEaster Island, renowned for its iconic moai stone heads, has long been viewed as a site of isolated cultural development. However, new research challenges this notion, revealing that the island's inhabitants were likely in contact with other Polynesian islands. A study utilizing radiocarbon dating traced the spread of ritual monuments across the Pacific, indicating that the initial wave of ceremonial activity began in western Polynesia and reached Easter Island around 1200 CE. Notably, the study found that the construction of formalized stone platforms, known as _marae_ or _ahu_, originated on Easter Island between 1300 and 1400 CE, predating similar structures in other regions. This suggests that Rapa Nui was not entirely cut off from other communities, a conclusion supported by genetic evidence of contact with South America. The findings, published in the journal Antiquity, reshape our understanding of Easter Island's historical connections within the Pacific.
Published: Jul 07 2025, 4 pmFor the fastest, latest, not so wokest news, 'experts say' you need to visit Eznews
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